Supply feed mechanism for packages



Dec. 28, 1943. -M. ALLATT SUPPLY FEED MECHANISM FOR PACKAGES Filed Aug. 25, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 28, 1943. -r- 2,337,536

SUPPLY FEED MECHANISM FOR PACKAGES Filed Aug. 25, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MfFV/N 14111477 BY ATTORNEY Dec. 28, 1943. M. ALLATT SUPPLY FEED MECHANISM FOR PACKAGES Filed Aug. 25 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY SUPPLY FEED MECHANISM FOR PACKAGES Filed Aug. 25, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 V INVENTOR \QO mw 411477 BY [27M ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 28, 1943 nane;

SUPPLY FEED MECHANISM FOR PACKAGES Mervin Allatt, Plainfield, N. J., assignor to Millie Patent Holding 00., Inc., a corporation of New York Application August 25, 1942, Serial No. 455,986

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to methods and mechanisms for filling bag-like receptacles such as infusion packages with tea, coffee, etc., wherein measured quantities of the filler are fed from a suitable source of supply into the receptacles.

In the manufacture of infusion packages such as tea balls and the like using automatic machines in large scale production, measured quantitles of tea or other filler must be fed intermittently to the package bags without clogging the parts of the mechanism through which such filler passes. In addition to preserving the fluent conditions of the filler, it is necessary that the density thereof be controlled during the measuring operation in order that definite uniform quantities thereof ultimately reaches the package bags. The present invention provides an effective method and mechanism to successfully give results for the purposes above described.

Among other objects of the invention is to provide an improved method and a mechanism of the character described, the latter comprising relatively few and simple parts which may readily be incorporated into the construction of automatic machines for making complete infusionpackage or the like, which shall maintain a supply of predetermined quantities of the filler or charges with certainty and reliability, which shall require minimum of attention in operat on, which shall be relatively inexpensive to construct yet be capable of large output capacity, and which method and mechanism shall be practical and eflicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects and advantages will in part be obvious, and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the steps of the method and features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the method and construction hereinafter described and of which the scope of the application will be indicated in the following claims.

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a supply feed measuring mechanism constructed to embody the invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are cross sectional views taken on lines 2-2 and 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail cross sectional view showing the cross head in position to receive a multiple charge unit.

Figs. 5, 6, and '7 are cross sectional views taken on lines 55, 6-6 and 1-1, respectively, in Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is another detail cross sectional view showing the cross head in position just before ejecting and subdividing the multiple charge unit.

Fig. 9 is a sectional taken on lines 99 in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail cross sectional view like Fig. 8 showing the subdivision of the charge unit completed into separated equal quantities or charges, and

Fig. 11 is a sectional taken on lines I I in Fig. 10.

In the manufacture of filled bags,-such as, for example, infusion packages like tea balls in large quantity production on automatic machines, the bag contents, filler or charge is provided through a tea supply feed measuring mechanism which has Working parts thereof generally operating at relatively high speeds. Since such mechanism in practical use is called upon to feed uniformly measured quantities of fluent material, namely, tea, in charges with a great degree of reliability and free from interruption without requiring more than ordinary attention, high speed operation thereof has not been found to be as satisfactory as desired, particularly when applied to machines of advanced design for extremely large quantity production rates.

To make available a more desirable construction of such mechanism and method of supplying measuring charges for high output capacity machines, the novel improvement of feeding multiple charge units from the supply source and then subdividing each of such charge units into a plurality of uniform quantities desired for filling each tea ball. In carrying out the above described method with said improved mechanism all embodying the invention, the relative speed of the parts are greatly reduced consequently decreasing the wear, increasing the reliability of operation, and requiring a minimum of attention.

The complete tea supply feed mechanism 29 may be constructed and operated with the exceptions as herein described in the manner similar to that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,290,158, granted July 21, 1942, and as seen in Fig. 1 may be supported from a vertically upstanding machine frame F within which a power shaft? is journaled in spaced bearings B, said frame F having a horizontal extension E carrying a measuring device 2| which is surmounted by a suitable tea storage receptacle 22 containing the bulk of the tea supply. Appropriate mechanical stirring and intermediate feeding means (not shownin detail) may be provided in and about the receptacle'22 and between the latter and an auxiliary feed receptacle 23 for breaking up any mass or lumps to empty the tea in a freely flowing stream for passing into said auxiliary feed receptacle 23.

The auxiliary receptacle 23 is provided with converging bottom walls, one of said walls being formed by a slidable bar 23a which rests upon the backing plate 231), the other of said walls being formed by a swinging bar 230 operated by a linkage 23d through a grooved cam 23a. The swinging bar 230 moves in the path of flow of the tea and when swung upwardly into the auxiliary receptacle 23 keeps the tea from escaping therefrom, said bar 230 being provided for this purpose with an arcuate shaped extension gate 23] which moves into position to shut off said flow. The slide bar 23a is swung back and forth in unison with the movement of a linkage 23g which is actuated through a grooved cam 23h for slidable movement back and forth upon the supporting plate 23?). Said cams 23c and 23h may be driven from the power shaft P as shown in Fig. I.

Said receptacle 23 empties into a flexible conduit 24 which preferably is vibrated by a shimmying motion to prevent the tea from clogging therein, and serves as positive feeding means to the restricted inlet of the measuring device 2!. The shimmying motion of said conduit 24 is pro vided through a suitable transmission driven from power shaft P (not shown) in any well understood manner.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the end of said power shaft 1? iust below frame extension Ecarries cam 30 which reciprocates a multiple charge unit cross or receiver head Zia of said device 2! through a double end ng lever Zib so that a predetermined amount of tea is taken or withdrawn from the flexible conduit 24 for subdividing in the manner hereinafter described. Said lever 2 lb is swingably mounted at its mid portion on an arm 2|c which may be bolted to the frame F. One end Zid of said lever Zib carries a roller Me which rides on the cam 39.

The other end Zig of said lever pivotally connects with an end 2ih of a reach rod 2M, the other end of the latter being trunnioned at Zilc to said receiver head Zia. As seen from Figs. 1 and 4, the receiver head .2ia is constructed and arranged for horizontal movement and has amultiple charge measuring chamber 25 extending vertically therethrough. Said chamber 25 has a horizontally extendin bottom wall 26 which is controlled .to move up and down therein in appropriate time relation .by suitable actuation means. As seen from Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6, said latter means may comprise a J-shaped connecting member 2'! having one end 2111 pivotally connected with t e under side of said chamber bottom wall 25, the upper end 21b of said member 27 being secured to be operated by an arm 28a of a bell crank 28. Said bell crank 28 is pivoted on a support 29 extending rearwardly from the exterior wall 23112 of the housing of the auxiliary receptacle 23 as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the other arm 28?) through a shackle fitting 3| and a link 3| a make an adjustable connection 32 with the arcuate slotted portion 33a of a lever 33. Said lever 33 has one end pivotally mounted on a forwardly extending bracket 34, the free end 332) of said lever 33 carries a roller 330 which ride on another cam 35 mounted to turn with the power shaft P as a spaced distance above the cam 30.

The form of cam 39 and 35 shown in Figs. 1, 2. and 3 require suitable tension springs 30a and 35a, respectively, to assure the cooperation with their respective levers 2 lb and 33.

In registering alignment over the measuring chamber 25 of the receiver head Zia when the latter is at its extreme outward stroke position, there is located a subdividing holder 36 which has uniformly spaced thin partitions 38a therein for dividing the interior space into parts of equal cross sectional areas. As here shown in Fig. 9, three vertically extending partitions 3611 are provided to subdivide the predetermined unit of tea taken into the chamber 25 from the flexible conduit 24.

To assure positive discharge of the subdivided charges from between the partition 38a, suitable means may be provided. As shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5 and '7 said discharge means comprise of pushers 31 mounted on suitably supported slide-rods 31a. carrying compression springs 371) which normally tend to retain the pusher 36b in an aligned level with the lower edges of the partition 36a and just short of the upper surface of the receiver head Zia. The latter may also be provided with passageways corresponding in arrangement withthe partitioned sections of holder 36, and extending vertically through the receiver head Zia at a spaced distance from the chamber 25. Said passageways 23 are equal in number and cross sectional area to subdivisions of the partitioned holder 36 and are constructed and arranged to come into registered alignment with the latter when the receiver head Zia is at its extreme inward stroke position shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Each of the passageways 28 terminates at the lower ends in an individual spout 28a which empties into an open ends iiia of a series of distributing chutes it each of which feed through an inlet 5 a single charge, filler or contents to a bag of the package which is being advanced through the packaging machine (not shown) in the well understood manner.

'The improved method of operation of the supply feed mechanism 20 embodying the invention will now be readily understood from the drawings and the above given description, when installed in an automatic machine such as shown in the applicants aforesaid copending application.

A supply of tea or the like, is put into the receptacle 22 before starting the operation of the packaging machine for feeding bags with single charges from feed inlets 5i! terminating distributing chutes ii}. The tea passes from the receptacle 22 to the auxiliary receptacle 733 and then is made to freely flow through the conduit 25 which may be given shimmying and vibratory motion. The tea from said conduit 25 will, when the receiver head Zia is in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 flow and be withdrawn in a predetermined multiple charge unit quantity filling the chamber 25. The receiver head Zia in its reciprocating movement through cam action 36 reaches the extreme outward position shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The chamber bottom 26 is then elevated forcing the mu tiple charge unit up wardly and ejected it out of the chamber 25 and into the partitioned holder 35 against the action of the spring press pushers 31 thereby subdividing said unit into a plurality of separate, equal charges. On returns of the receiver head Zia to its inward position for refilling the chamber 25 with another multiple charge unit, the subdivided equal charges in holder 35 are each released through the passageways 28 passing down distributing spouts 28a through the chutes iii and into inlets 56 for filling the package bags as is clear from Fig. 5.

The front housing wall 23n of the mechanism 2| may be made with a transparent section as shown in Figs. 1 and so that the passage of the tea through the auxiliary receptacle 23, the conduit 24 and into the receiver head 2la is visible at all times.

To change the quantities of a multiple charge unit taken in chamber 25 of the receiver head 2 la from the conduit 24 and to thereby increase or decrease each of individual charges distributed through inlets 50 by mechanism as desired, the adjustable connection 32 is set by positioning the end of the link 3m along the arcuate slot 33a of lever 33 for raising or lowering the chamber bottom 26 as is clear from Figs. 1 and 3. The linkages and cams operating said bottom 26 in chamber are so constructed and arranged that said adjustment is eiiected only to raise or lower said bottom 26 in the chamber 25 when the receiver head 2Ia is in its inward position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 but does not effect the ejecting level position of said bottom 26 shown in Figs. 10 and 11 In the construction shown in Fig. 3, this above described feature is accomplished mainly by making the slot 33a in lever 33 along a described are wtih the shackled pivot as a center.

It is thus therefore seen that there is provided an improved method and mechanism in which the objects of the invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet all conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments may be made in the above invention and as various changes might be made in the embodiments and method above set forth, it is understood that all the above matters have set forthor shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Thus having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A method of the character described comprising the steps of removing predetermined multiple charges as a single unit of a fluent material from a bulk supply source, moving said unit in one direction, then moving said unit in a second direction and concurrently subdivid ing multiple charges of said unit into separate equal single charges, and finally moving the separate single charges in a direction opposite said second direction for simultaneously feeding a plurality of package bags.

2. In a method of the character described the steps of subdividing a predetermined unit of multiple charges of fluent material then moving said unit in one direction to provide separate equal charges, and then changing the direction of movement after separation for feeding the separate charges simultaneously to a plurality of package bags.

3. A method of the character described comprising the steps of withdrawing a quantity of fluent material sufficient for charging a plurality of infusion package bags from a bulk source, subdividing said quantity into separated uniform charges while advancing the same in one direction, and reversing the direction for movement of the separated charges simultaneously to feed said package bags. I

4. A mechanism of the character described comprising a supply source of fluent material, means for withdrawing a quantity of the fluent material from said supply source, means for concommittently moving the withdrawn quantity and subdividing same into a plurality of separate equal portions, and means to feed each portion as a charge to a package bag.

5. The mechanism defined in claim 4, in which said withdrawing means being adjustable for varying the size of each charge fed to the package bag.

6. A mechanism of the character described comprising a supply source of fluent material, a movable receiver head having a chamber for withdrawing a predetermined quantity of said material as a unit from said source into said chamber, a partitioned holder mounted along the path of movement of said head, and means for ejecting said unit from the chamber into the holder for subdividing same into separated equal parts.

7. A mechanism of the character described comprising a supply source of fluent material, a movable receiver head having a chamber for withdrawing a predetermined quantity of said material as a unit from said source in said chamber, a partitioned holder along the path or" movement of said head, means for ejecting said unit from the chamber into the holder for subdividing same into separated equal parts, and means carried by the head for permitting passage of said parts to charge a plurality of package bags.

8. A mechanism of the character described comprising a reciprocating head having a chamber for receiving a predetermined quantit of fluent material, a movable bottom wall in said chamber, means for moving said bottom wall to eject said material from the chamber, a subdividing partitioned holder for receiving said ejected material from the chamber, and means incorporated in said head for permitting passage of separated portions of the material subdivided by the holder to charge a plurality of package bags.

9. A mechanism as defined in claim 8 including means for adjusting the position of the bottom wall in the chamber for varying the predetermined quantity of fluent material received and proportionally varying the portions charging each package bag.

10. In a machine for making infusion packages, a mechanism for feeding fluent material from a supply source to bags of packages comprising a head having a chamber for receiving a predetermined quantity of the fluent material from said source, means for reciprocating said head, a bottom wall movably mounted in said chamber, means for moving said wall from a position to receive said predetermined quantity to a position for ejecting same, a holder located along the path of movement of said head for receiving the quantity of material ejected from said chamber, partitions in said holder for subdividing the ejected material into separate equal charges, said head having passageways constructed and arranged for permitting each charge to pass to a package bag from said partitioned holder.

11. In a machine for making infusion packages, a mechanism for feeding fluent material from a supply source to bags of packages comprising a head having a chamber for receiving a predetermined quantity of the fluent material from said source, means for reciprocating said head, a bottom wall movably mounted in said chamber, means for moving said wall from a position to receive said predetermined quantity to a position for ejecting same, a holder located along the path of movement of said head for receiving the quantity of material ejected from said chamber, partitions in said holder for subdividing the ejected material into separate equal charges, said head having passageways constructed and arranged for permitting each charge to pass to a package bag from said partitioned holder, said means for moving the bottom wall including an adjustable linkag to changing the position of said wall in the chamber for varying the predetermined quantit of material received from said source and correspondingly vary the charge to each package bag.

12. In a mechanism of the character described, a first reciprocating member having a chamber, a second member mounted to reciprocate within said chamber, and means for locating the second member at a predetermined distance inwardly from one side of the first member when the latter is at one extreme movement position thereof and for moving said second member to the level of said side of the first member when the latter is at the other extreme movement position thereof.

13. In a mechanism of the character described a first reciprocating member having a chamber, a second member mounted to reciprocate within said chamber, means for locating the second member at a predetermined distance inwardly from one side of the first member when the latter is at one extreme movement position thereof and for moving said second member to the level of said side of the first member when the latter is at the other extreme movement position, a fluent material intake located along the path of movement of said first reciprocating member at the first mentioned extreme movement position thereof for filling said chamber over the second member with a predetermined multiple charge unit, and a partitioned holder located along the path of movement of said reciprocating member at the last mentioned extreme movement positions for receiving said unit ejected from the chamber by the second member to subdivide said unit into separate equal portions.

14. In a mechanism of the character described a first reciprocating member having a chamber, a second member mounted to reciprocate within said chamber, means for locating the second member at predetermined distance inwardly from one side of the first member when the latter is at one extreme movement position thereof and for moving said second member to substantially the level of said side of the first member when the latter is at the other extreme movement position, a fluent material intake located along the path of movement of said first reciprocating member at the first mentioned extreme movement position thereof for filling said chamber over the second member with a predetermined multiple charge unit, and a partitioned holder located along the path of movement of said reciprocating member at the last mentioned extreme movement positions for receiving said unit ejected from the chamber by the second member to subdivide said unit into separate equal portions, said first member having through passageways spaced from said chamber, said passageways having the same cross sectional area as the partitioned holder and being constructed and arranged to align with said holder at the last extreme movement position thereof to permit the flow of the separate equal portions from the partitioned holder to feed individual package bags.

15. A mechanism of the character described including a horizontally extending first member having a vertical chamber therein, means for reciprocating said first member, a second member mounted in said chamber, and means for reciprocating said second member within the chamber from a position inward from an upper side of the first member when the latter is at one extreme reciprocated position to a position even with the level of said upper side of said first member when the latter is at the other extreme reciprocated position, the second member reciprocating means having adjustable portions for varying the effective inward positional location of the second member from said upper side of the first member when at the first mentioned extreme reciprocated position and for allowing the second member to attain a position even with the level of said upper side of the first member when the latter is at the said other extreme reciprocated position.

16. The mechanism defined in claim 15 including a partitioned holder mounted over and facing said chamber when the first member is in said other extreme reciprocating position, said first member having vertically extending passageways aligning with the partitioned holder when in said first mentioned extreme reciprocating position. MERVIN ALLATT. 

